Humidifier



HUMIDIFIER Filed March 21, 1955 Q 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORA ATTORNEYS F. N. SMITH HUMIDIFIER Jan. 5 1937.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 21, 1935 I INVENTORI. Fer/w 1V. JmM/v ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 5, 1937 PATENT OFFICE mmnmrmn Ferris N. Smith, Grand Rapids, Mich. Application March 21, 1935, Serial No. 12,165

19 Claims. (01. 261-115) The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide an improved humidifier which is adapted to deliver and diffuse a mixture of dry steam and air quietly and in a very effective manner.

Second, to provide automatic means in a humidifier of the foregoing character for controlling the air supplied to the mixture in response to the discharge of the steam.

Third, to provide improved means for rendering the discharge of steam substantially noise' less.

Objects relating to details and economies of my invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

Preferred embodiments of my invention are illustrated in the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view 'of a humidifier embodying features of my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view in rear elevation, a

portion of the top being broken away and shown in section. I

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a, fragmentary horizontal section on line L-l of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5, is a simplified wiring diagram of the control circuit of the blower motor.

Fig. 6 is a view in rear elevation of a modification, a portion of the rear wall of the cabinet being broken away to expose the interior.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken on a, line corresponding to line i-i of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view mainly in side elevation of the modification adapted for manual control. v 1

Referring to the drawings, i in general is a cabinet having a top 2, a bottom 3, a front wall't, and side walls 5. Internally, the cabinet is divided by a central shelf 6 into an upper compartment l and a lower compartment 8, the shelf being supported by the side wall' brackets 9 and upper and lower rubber cushions Ill. The cushions absorb vibrations caused by the operation of the blower H and its electric driving motor i2 and prevent the cabinet from acting as a sounding board for amplifying such vibrations.

The blower It and motor lz are mounted on opposite sides of an upright or standard l3 which in the embodiment illustrated is bent upwardly from the shelf 6 formed of sheet metal. The parts are positioned so that the outlet M of the blower is adapted to discharge air upwardly through the opening I5 in a forwardly inclined path, the opening being provided in the top 2 of the cabinet near the front thereof. The opening has a grilleconsisting of parallel wire bars Hi.

In the lower compartment 8 is disposed. a steam mufller I! consisting of a pipe in the form of a downwardly spiraled coil, the diameter of the pipe gradually increasing from its inlet or upper end to its lower or discharge end. The discharge end of the pipe merges into an enlarged chamber 18 constituting a separator chamber and water trap and having a drain connection l9. The inlet end of the mufiler is provided with an external supply connection 20 which is connected to any suitable source of steam supply such as a steam generator or boiler.

A steam dischargepipe 2 is connected to the upper end of the chamber I8 and extends upwardly through the shelf 6 at the front of the cabinet for delivering steam upwardly through the opening I5.

The vertical outlet portion 22 of the steam discharge pipe is provided with an upper bracket 23 and a lower bracket 2d, the brackets being fixed to the portion 22 for differential movement in response to the longitudinal contraction and expansion of the pipe. 0n the lower bracket 2d is mounted a housing or casing 25 containing an electric switch 26 which is biased to closed position by spring means (not shown), the switch being adapted to be opened by depressing a plunger 2i. This plunger is normally helddepressed by the contraction of the pipe section 22 acting through the rod 28 and the lever 29, the lever having its inner end fixed to the bracket 24 and the outer end free for engaging the plunger 21?. The lower end of the rod 28 is fixed to the lever 29, the upper end of the rod extending through the hole 3@ in the bracket 23' and engaging a lever 39 which is secured to the bracket at 32 and has a screw 33 threaded to its free end and engaging the bracket for adjusting the effective length of the rod 28, the screw 33 being disposed so as to be adjusted by a tool inserted through the opening 5. The source of electrical supply for the motor l2 may be a conventional house circuit, the apparatus being provided with the usual cord and plug connection 3 3.

.In the lower end of the steam discharge pipe 2 i and above the water trap-it, there is provided a valve 35 controlled by a handle 36 disposed externally of the cabinet at one side thereof as shown. By turning the handle 36, the device may be caused to operate as desired. With the valve entirely closed, any steam being delivered to the apparatus through the steam supply connection 20 is discharged through the drain connection l9. Thus, the pipe section 22 assumes a contracted state which results in the depression of the plunger 21 and the opening of the motor control switch 26. With the motor l2 de-energized, the blower II is at rest.

When it is desired to humidify the atmosphere, the control handle 36 is turned so as to open the valve 35. This causes the steam, after passing through the muflier I1, to be delivered upwardly through the opening I 5 by way of the outlet section 22 of the steam discharge pipe. The outlet section 22 is thereupon heated by the steam and' expands longitudinally, releasing the pressure on the plunger 21, allowing the spring biasing means of the switch to close the latter, resulting in the operation of the motor l2 and blower ll.

The stream of air issuing from the outlet H of the blower traverses the steam issuing from the steam discharge pipe above the opening l5 in a forwardly inclined path, resulting in a mixture of steam and air having a forward component of movement as well as a vertical one relative to the cabinet 6. Thus, the mixture of steam and air is very effectively diffused throughout the space desired to be humidified, the steam being sensibly dry owing to the operation of the water trap i8. The apparatus is very quiet in operation, the usual hissing sound accompanying the discharge of steam being eliminated by the muflier ill and the vibrations of the motor and blower being absorbed by the cushions l0.' The operation of the humidifier is further quieted by means of soft rubber supports 31 for the cabinet.

From the foregoing description of my invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that I provide a humidifier which is simple and economical in its parts and very efficient and effective for the purpose intended. In addition to being very quiet in operation, the device positively diffuses the steam throughout the space to be humidified, the steam being comparatively dry. Further, when the apparatus ceases to deliver steam, the blower motor is automatically stopped. This is a very desirable feature especially in case of failure of the steam supply.

In the modification of my invention illustrated by Figs. 6, 7, and 8 of the drawings, the condenser coil ill is adapted to take steam at relatively high velocity inits top inlet 38 and deliver the steam at relatively low-velocity from its bottom outlet 39 into the lower chamber. The latter has a condensate drain 4i and an upper wall opening 32. On the lower chamber 40 and over the upper wall opening 42 I mount a valve casing 43 having a base member 44 adapted for rotary adjustment relative to the lower chamber. Also, on the lower chamber I mount an upper chamber 35 to house the valve casing, the upper chamber having an upper steam outlet 46 corresponding to the steam discharge pipe 20 of the embodiment illustrated by Figs. 1 to .5, inclusive.

, The valve casing 43 is provided with a lateral valve seat i! for the valve 38 carried by a valve stem 39, the valve stem being mounted on the upper chamber 35 and valve casing 43 for longitudinal movement. Mounted in the lower chamber ill is a heat responsive element 50 in the form of a coil having its inner end 5| anchored and its outer end 52 connected to the valve stem 49. The valve 48 controls the steam discharged through the outlet 46 without interfering with the steam condensate drainage. This valve 48 remains seated until the element 50 is heated by the steam so that the steam is not delivered or discharged until opportunity has been afforded for the heating apparatus to become eifective.

The valve 48 is also controlled by a humidity responsive means comprising the bellows or diaphragm 53 arranged in a closed compartment 54 containing a heat responsive fluid indicated at 55 and adapted to be heated by an electric heating element 56 which is in turn controlled by the adjustable humidistat 51 mounted on the cabinet i. When the humidity reaches the predetermined degree the switch controlled by the humidistat is closed so that the heating element acts to heat the fluid, and this, acting on the bellows or diaphragm, closes the valve, or partially closes it, as the case may be.

In the embodiment of my invention shown in Fig. 8 the automatic humidity control means is replaced by a rod or stem .58 provided with a finger piece 60. This is preferably embodied'in the structure with the automatic control means, the upper part of the housing being rotated to bring the valve into operative relation with the automatic means or the manually operated means 58. The passage for the stem 58 is normally closed by the plug 59. Manipulation of the tnanually operable valve stem 58 is facilitated by a finger piece 60 fixed to the outer end thereof. "The valve is operated as desired with a rotary movement of the finger piece 60. Otherwise, the modification is substantially the same. as that shown and described in connection with Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, the blower, motor therefor, and switch controlled by the expansion and contraction of pipe section 22 not being shown.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that I take steam at relatively high velocity in my apparatus, the latter acting to deliver the steam at relatively low velocity without noise into a room for humidification. The steam condensate is automatically drained oif, thus assuring the delivery of only dry steam into the atmosphere. The condensate drainage goes on regardless of the delivery'of steam by the apparatus. Further, the fan blowing the air and steam into the room is automatically controlled by the discharged steam. The apparatus is very eflicient in operation and acts to humidify the atmosphere in the room in a desirable manner.

I have illustrated and described my improvements in embodimentswhich I have found very practical. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe other embodiments or adaptations as it is believed this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my improvements as may be desired.

Although I have shown and described certain specific embodiments of my invention, I am fully aware that many modifications thereof are possible. My invention is therefore not to be restricted except in so far as is necessitated by the prior art and by the spirit of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

' 1. The combination of a cabinet having a top, a bottom, and front and side walls, the top having an opening therein adjacent the front 'wall,

a central shelf dividing the cabinet into an upforwardly inclined path, an electric blower motor mounted on the other side of said upright for driving said blower, a steam muffler disposed in the lower compartment and comprising a pipe in the form of downwardly spiraled coil, the diameter of the pipe gradually increasing from its ,inlet to its outlet end, a water trap connected to the lower end of said coil, and a steam discharge pipe connected to the upper end of said water trap and extending upwardly through said shelf at the front of the cabinet for delivering steam upwardly through said opening, a valve in the lower end of said steam discharge pipe having an external control handle at the side of the cabinet, a steam supply connection to the inlet end of said muffler, a drain connection to the lower end of said water trap, and switch means responsive to the longitudinal expansion and contraction of said steam discharge pipe acting to control the operation of said blower motor so that the blower is driven only when steam is being deliveredby said steam dischargepipe.

2. The combination of a blower having an outlet adapted to discharge air upwardly in a forwardly inclined path, an electric blower motor, a. steam mufiier comprising a pipe in the form of downwardly spiraled coil, the diameter of the pipe gradually increasing from its inlet to its outlet end, a water trap connected to the lower end of said coil, and a steam discharge pipe connected to the upper end of said water trapand extending upwardly for delivering steam upwardly in front of said blower outlet, a valve in the lower end of said steam discharge pipe having a control handle, asteam supply connection to the inlet end of said mufiier, a drain connection to the lower "end of said water trap, and switch means responsive to the longitudinal expansion and contraction of said steam discharge pipe acting to control the operation of said blower motor so that the blower is driven only when steam is being delivered by said steam discharge pipe.

3. The combination of a blower having an out let adapted to discharge air upwardly in a forwardly inclined path, an electric blower motor,

- a steam mufiler comprising a pipe in the form of downwardly spiraled coil, the diameter of the pipe gradually increasing from its inlet to its outlet end, a water trap connected to the lower end of said coil, and a steam-discharge pipe connected to the upper end of said water trap and extending upwardly for delivering steam upwardly in front of said blower outlet, a valve in the lower end of said steam discharge pipe having a control handle, a steam-supply connection to the inlet endof said muflier, a drain connection to the lower end of said water trap, and switch means acting to control the operation of said blower motor so that the blower is driven only when steam is being delivered by said steam discharge pipe.

4. The combination of a cabinet having a top opening therein adjacent the front wall, a shelf dividing the cabinet into an upper and a lower compartment, means including cushions connectingsaid shelf to said side walls, the shelf having an upright bent upwardly therefrom, a blower mounted on one side of said upright and having an outlet adapted to discharge air upwardly through said opening in a forwardly inclined path, a blower motor mounted on the other side of said upright for driving said blower, a steam muffler disposed inthe lower compartment and comprising a pipe in the form of a coil, the diameter of the pipe gradually increasing from its inlet to its outlet end, a water trap connected discharge pipe acting to control the operation of said blower motor so that the blower is driven only when steam is being delivered by said steam discharge pipe.

5. The combination of a cabinet having a top opening therein adjacent the front wall, a shelf dividing the cabinet into an upper and a lower compartment, means including cushions connecting said shelf to said side walls, the shelf having an upright, a blower mounted on one side of said upright and having an outlet adapted to discharge air upwardly through said opening in a forwardly inclined path, a blower motor mounted on the other side of said upright for driving said blower, a steam mufiier disposed in the lower compartment and comprising a pipe in the form of a coil, the diameter of the pipe gradually increasing from its inlet to its outlet end, a water trap connected to the lower end of said coil, and a steam discharge pipe connected" to said mufiler and extending upwardly at the front of the cabinet for delivering steam upwardly through said opening, a steam supply connection to the inlet end of said muiiler, a drain connection to the lower end of said water trap, and

control means acting to control the operation of said blower motor so that the blower is driven only when steam is being delivered by said steam discharge pipe.

6. The combination of a blower having an outlet adapted to discharge upwardly in a forwardly inclined path, an electric blower motor for driv= ing said blower, a muflier comprising a pipe in the form of downwardly spiraled coil, the diameter of the pipe gradually increasing from i s inlet to its outlet end, a trap connected to t e lower end of said muffler, and a discharge pipe connected to said muffler for delivering upwardly in front of said blower outlet, a supply connection to the inlet end of said mufiler, a drain connection to the lower end of said trap, and switch means responsive to the longitudinal expansion and contraction of said discharge pipe acting to control the operation of said blower motor.

7. The combination of a blower having an outlet adapted to discharge upwardly in a forwardly inclined path, an electric blower motor for driving said blower, a muflier, a trap connected to 'the lower end of said mufiier, and a discharge pipe connected to said mufiler for delivering upwardly in front of said blower outlet, a supply connection to the inlet end of said steam muffier, and switch means responsive to the longitudinal expansion and contraction of said discharge pipe acting to control the operation of said blower motor.

8. In a steam muffler, the combination of a vertically disposed coil having an inlet connection at'the upper end thereof, said coil being of increasing diameter from its upper end and the lower end of the coil being connected to a separating chamber having a trap water discharge at the bottom thereof, a steam discharge connec- 7g tion connected to the top of said separating,

chamber, and a valve in said steam discharge.

9. In a steam muffler, the combination of a vertically disposed coil having an inlet connection at the upper end thereof, said coil being of increasing diameter from its upper end and the lower end of the coil being connected to a separating chamber having a trap water discharge at the bottom thereof, and a steam discharge connection connected to the top of said separating chamber.

10. The combination of a blower having an outlet adapted to discharge in an upwardly inclined path, a mufller having an outlet pipe adapted to discharge upwardly in front of said blower outlet, and means responsive to the operation of said muffler outlet pipe for controlling the operation of said blower.

11. The combination of a downwardly spiraled coil of increasing diameter having a trap at its lower end, a supply connection to the upper end of said coil, a discharge connection to the lower end of said coil, and a drain connection to said trap, there being a control valve in said discharge connection.

12. The combination of a downwardly spiraled w coil of increasing diameter having a trap at its lower end, a supply connection to the upper end of said coil, a discharge connection to thelower end of said coil, and a drain connection to said trap.

13. The combination of a steam discharge pipe, a blower having an air outlet coacting therewith, and means responsive to the expansion and contraction of said steam discharge pipe for controlling the operation of said blower.

14. The combination with anexpansion coil having a top inlet and a bottom outlet, of 'a.

lower chamber connected to said outlet and having a condensate drain and an upper wall opening, a valve casing mounted on said lower chamber over said wall opening for rotary adjustment and having a lateral valve seat, an upper chamber mounted on said lower chamber to house said valve casing and having an upper outlet, a valve stem mounted on said casing and upper chamher for longitudinal movement, a valve carried by said valve stem for'coaction with said valve seat, a heat responsive element mounted in said lower chamber for controlling the movement of said valve stem, and humidity responsive means acting to close the valve or tolimit the opening movement thereof, said upper chamber having a normally closed passage for a manually operable stem adapted to be operatively associated with said valve when the valve casing is rotated to a certain extent relative to said lower casing.

15. The combination with an expansion coil having a top inlet and a bottom outlet, of a lower chamber connected to said outlet and having a condensate drain and an upper wall opening, a valve casing mounted on said-lower chamber over said wall opening, an upper chamber mounted on said lower chamber to house said valve casing and having an upper outlet, a valve stem mounted on said casing and upper chamber for longitudinal movement, a valve carried by said valve stem for coaction with said valve seat, a heat responsive element mounted in said lower chamber for controlling the movement of said valve, and humidity responsive means acting to close the valve or to limit the opening movement thereof.

16. The combination with an expansion coil having a. top inlet and a bottom outlet, of a lower chamber connected to said outletand hav- ;ing a condensate drain and an upper wall open- ;ing, a valve casing mounted on said lower cham- ;ber over said wall opening, an upper chamber I mounted on said lower chamber to house said valve casing and having an upper outlet, a valve mounted on said upper chamber, and means for controlling the movement of said valve.

17. The combination with means adapted to take steam at relatively high velocity and dis charge the same at relatively low velocity quietly into a room for humidification, means acting to automatically drain off the steam condensate resulting therefrom, means controlling the steam discharged from said first named means without interfering with the steam condensate drainage, and a fan coacting with the steam discharged from said first named means for blowing a mixture of the steam and air into the room, said fan being controlled by the steam flow.

18. The combination with means adapted to 19. The combination with means adapted to' take steam at relatively high' velocity and discharge the same at relatively low velocity quietly into a room for humidification, means acting to automatically drain ofi the steam condensate resulting therefrom, and means controlling the steam discharged from said first named means without interfering with the steam condensate drainage.

FERRIS N. SMITH. 

